I think pro/rel discussions are the biggest waste of time in US soccer. It’s never going to happen. Pro/rel works elsewhere because its foundation is community supported clubs (with that support manifesting in gate revenue). Yes, there are few teams in MLS that can cite longstanding community support (like the Sounders), but the majority are inorganic corporate creations. And while gate revenue is still massively important, the future is in broadcast rights. Messi is not in MLS because of ticket sales, Messi is in MLS because Apple TV and other corporate sponsors were willing to pay Messi to play in MLS.
So yes, we could switch to a system focused around community organized clubs, without the higher level of talent MLS currently attracts, but even with the drama of pro/rel the casual soccer fans have shown time and again that they will not watch a league comprised of lesser talent. There’s a reason MLS was on the brink of collapse in the 2000s. Hardcore soccer fans are immensely important, but casual fans are the difference between having a sustainable business and not having a sustainable business.
I follow the Premier League casually. I watched Chelsea when Pulisic was there, I had a year long romance with Leeds United with Marsch, Adams, McKinnie (and a bitter breakup when they all left and were unfairly blamed for the club’s relegation). I watch Man City because Guardiola is a soccer genius and I love seeing him utilizing insanely talented players like a grandmaster uses chess pieces. But the inequality between clubs does dull the league. I mean outside of one magical Leicester season, the last 25 years, only 5 clubs have really had a significant chance to win a title. I just can’t see a US fan continually supporting a team like Crystal Palace who have no shot at winning a title.
I think pro/rel discussions are the biggest waste of time in US soccer. It’s never going to happen. Pro/rel works elsewhere because its foundation is community supported clubs (with that support manifesting in gate revenue). Yes, there are few teams in MLS that can cite longstanding community support (like the Sounders), but the majority are inorganic corporate creations. And while gate revenue is still massively important, the future is in broadcast rights. Messi is not in MLS because of ticket sales, Messi is in MLS because Apple TV and other corporate sponsors were willing to pay Messi to play in MLS.
So yes, we could switch to a system focused around community organized clubs, without the higher level of talent MLS currently attracts, but even with the drama of pro/rel the casual soccer fans have shown time and again that they will not watch a league comprised of lesser talent. There’s a reason MLS was on the brink of collapse in the 2000s. Hardcore soccer fans are immensely important, but casual fans are the difference between having a sustainable business and not having a sustainable business.
I follow the Premier League casually. I watched Chelsea when Pulisic was there, I had a year long romance with Leeds United with Marsch, Adams, McKinnie (and a bitter breakup when they all left and were unfairly blamed for the club’s relegation). I watch Man City because Guardiola is a soccer genius and I love seeing him utilizing insanely talented players like a grandmaster uses chess pieces. But the inequality between clubs does dull the league. I mean outside of one magical Leicester season, the last 25 years, only 5 clubs have really had a significant chance to win a title. I just can’t see a US fan continually supporting a team like Crystal Palace who have no shot at winning a title.